THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2581, 1 October 1915, Page 4

THE HOUSE

The Houso -of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. . The .Friendly Societies Amendment Bill (the Hon.' J. A. Hanan) and the Education Reserves Amendment Bill (the Right Hon. W. F. Masses) were introduced , and read, a first time.

MORTCACE TAXES. ■FAIRER METHODS OF. ASSESSMENT. ; Amendments to the Finance Bill were introduced by Governor's Message. SIR JOSEPH WARD (Minister of Finance) explained tho effect of the new clauses, showing that they had to do with'the clauses of the Bill relating to tho assessment of mortgage tax, and 1 especially to those mortgages held by banks for a fluctuating amount advanced by way of overdraft. Hie-intention of the clauso was that tho duty should be assessed not 'on tho maximum amount for which security was given, but the 'amount of tho actual obligation incurred. . The- amendments were agreed to.

EVIDENCE AT COURTS-MARTIAL. Tie debate 011 tho amendments made by the Legislative Council in-the Expeditionary Forces Bill was rosumed. The- contentious clause was one proposing to admit 'hearsay evidence under certain circumstances at military trials. Tho Hon. J. ALLEN (Defence Minister) said lie proposed to ask the House to let the clause no through. The Government would'meet the objections that had been raised in the House by bringing down an amending clauso later by Governor's Message. The new clause in, substitution for the clause inserted by the'. Council would provide that the ordinary rules of evidence ' should apply in the case of courts-martial held in New Zealand. When trouble nroso outside. New Zealand and evidence in'tiio ordinary form was not available, the court would be entitled to take into consideration. evidence that would not be admissible in other proceedings, but tho sentenco of the court in'such cases would be subject to confirmation by the Governor-in-Conncil. The amendments were agreed to on I-the voice 3.

WATER IN BUTTER. Tho Hon. W. D. S. MACDONALD moved the second reading of the Dairy Industry Amendment Bill, which, lie said, was intended to enable the Department to deal effectively with tho manufacturers of butter for export, which butter contained more than 16 per cent, of moisture. He was advised by tho High Commissioner that it was of the highest importance. that butter should not be exported containing more than 16 per cent, of water. A general discussion ensued on tho desirability of branding all kinds of dairy produce whether for local consumption or for export, and especially the butter called in commerce "whey butter," which is made from butter-fat separated from whey. Members demanded also that there should be severe restrictions on the amount of water and

for salo within New Zealand. ■ Other members spoke of the high prico of but'ter. The Hon. W. D. S. MACDONALD, in reply, said that all tho matters discussed wore foreign to the Bill. Tho discussion would be in order on tho amendment to the Commercial Trusts Act, which was to be introduced this session. The Bill was.read, a second time, committed, read a third time, and passed.

SICK PRISONERS. The Bon. Dr. M'NAB (Minister of Justice) moved the second reading of t.lic Prisoners' Detention Bill, and explained the effect of it. The Bill was put through all stagea and passed.

WATER RICHTS. Tho Mining Amendment Bill (tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald) which deals with the preservation of water rights in Central Otago, was put through all stages 'and passed. These rights were granted first .when the water was'used for mining. Nowadays it is used for agricultural purposes, and tho Bill secures tho rights of the users of. tho water for irrigation.

COAL MINES. The Coal Mines Amendment Ml (the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald), which is merely a Departmental measure, was put through-all stages and passed.

SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS. Tho Now Zealand Society of Accountants Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdivan), which has been passed by tho Legislative ' Council, was passed without debate.

COUNTIES BILL. The Counties Amendment Bill (the Hon. G. W. Russell), which is a technical measure containing littlo of importance, was read a second time, but progress was reported upon it in Committee in order thai members might have time to consider proposed amendments. ...

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION The Local Elections'.(Proportional Representation) Amendment Bill (the Hon. G. W. Russell) went through all stages without debate. Mr. Russell explained that tho amendment proposed was one that had fteen discovered to bo necessary before advantage could bo "taken by any local authority of the permissive power given by the principal Act.

DESTITUTE PERSONS. The Destitute Persons Amendment Bill, a. private Bill introduced by Mr. A. Harris, was put through Committee and passed. The Bill deals with the collection of money duo under maintenance orders.

shoddy boots. The Footwear Regulation Amendment Bill (tlio Riglit Hon. W. F. Massey) was also put through its remaining stages and passed.

MINERS' PHTHISIS. The Minors' Phthisis Bill (the Hon. W. Eraser) was debated in Committ'eo .by the members representing mining constituencies, who urged, as they had. urged on the second reading, that tlio provision proposed for the relief of miners suffering from pneumoconiosis was inadequate. The Bill was passed.

LATE AMENDMENTS, The Marriage Aci Amendment Bill was returned, to the Housch y His Excellency tho Governor with an amendment. The Hon. G. W. RUSSELL (Minister of Internal /Affairs) explained that tho amendment was submitted in accordance with a request from the Imperial Government, and the object of it was to establish a, uniform practico all over the Empire, relating to women going abroad to be married in foreign countries. ' The amendment was agreed to. An important amendment to the Expeditionary Forces Bill was also introduced by Governnor's Message, and agreed to. The House jose at 11.45 p.m.